The Israeli occupation has begun a new phase of escalation in Syria’s south, in preparation for indirectly annexing it, echoing the escalation taking place in the West Bank, Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar reported on Thursday.
The paper said the escalation in south Syria has been through several paths, “some under the pretext of “protecting minorities,” and others through the de facto authority that it imposes by force.”
The move comes after “After destroying most of the Syrian Army’s capabilities following the collapse ex-president Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 8, and after occupying the demilitarized zone in southern Syria, including its strategic heights and fresh water sources,” Al-Akhbar reported.
If completed, this means that the Zionist entity will grab three governorates: Sweida, Daraa and Quneitra, according to the report.
Meanwhile, the new Syrian administration, led by the transitional president Ahmad Al-Sharaa, keeps mum after the man repeatedly voiced unwillingness to engage in any confrontation with the Israeli occupation, the Lebanese daily added.
The escalation comes as the Israeli occupation continues to carry out aerial attacks on Syria, with strikes being reported late Tuesday on Daraa, Sweida, and the outskirts of Damascus.
On the other hand, the Israeli occupation has been building military outposts and bases in the so-called demilitarized buffer zone with Syria, amid several attempts of ground advance in the nearby area.
In parallel with the direct and indirect military control over southern Syria, the Israeli occupation forces began expanding contact channels with the residents of those areas, offering financial incentives by securing job opportunities in the occupied territories, in an effort to link the economy of the south to the occupation authorities, and to strengthen the latter’s control over this region, by all means, according to the paper.
Meanwhile on Thursday, Zionist Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Israeli occupation forces were “staying indefinitely” in the so-called buffer zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza.
Earlier this week, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Zionist entity will not allow Syria’s new army or the insurgent group that led the ouster of Al-Assad to “enter the area south of Damascus.”
Israeli Prime Minister #Satanyahu stated that Israeli forces will remain in Syria’s buffer zone, specifically on Mount Hermon for ‘an unlimited period of time’
Israel will demand disarmament of Syrian army in southern Syria, will not ‘tolerate any threat to Druze community’ pic.twitter.com/Dq98MR4E4t
— Owner Of Al-Quds (@_Alone_Warrior_) February 24, 2025
Source: Al-Akhbar Newspaper (Translated and edited by Al-Manar English Website Staff)
